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By TChris, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:54:43 AM EST
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Bill Clinton:

I say to you: Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Barack Obama is ready to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.

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    Ready | 39 comments (39 topical)

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    Obama (5.00 / 6) (#2)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:01:12 AM EST
    has to make that argument to the voters since he's the one that will be on the ballot in Nov.

    Besides, weren't we not supposed to believe anything Clinton said because he's a "liar" by the Obama campaign?

    BTD, was very, very smart to talk about how much of a mistake the Obama campaign was making by trashing Bill Clinton and his legacy during the primaries. Obama's going to need him but in a lot of ways Obama and his campaign have rendered him useless to help them make their case.

    What can I say in the end? Well, they made their bed so I guess they are just going to have to lay in it.

    Clinton proved himself a liar.... (1.00 / 1) (#27)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:39:59 AM EST
    long before this campaign.

    Has everybody forgotten politicians lie for a living?  It's part of the job description.  Show me a politician who doesn't lie and I'll show you a politician who has never won an election.

    Parent

    Doesn't that statement mean Obama (none / 0) (#42)
    by Radix on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 12:21:05 PM EST
    is a liar as well?

    Parent
    You bet your arse it does..... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 12:38:12 PM EST
    Obama, both Clintons, McCain, Romney, Reid, Pelosi, Guiliani, Bush, Cheney...pick your poison.

    Parent
    Bill was in cruise controll last night (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:03:29 AM EST
    he was good.  very good.  but his heart was not really in it.
    anyone who has ever seen him speak when his heart WAS in it knows that.
    I applaud his effort though.  his cruise control is worth twice what anyone elses full throated endorsement is worth.

    Thing with Bill, is, that even if (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by zfran on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:08:25 AM EST
    you think it wasn't his best, you get blown away anyway. I was!

    Parent
    P.S. I don't know if TChris meant (5.00 / 4) (#7)
    by zfran on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:10:43 AM EST
    to use this quote as a positive or is mocking it, however, that was the one quote of Bill's I did not agree with in terms of what I thought he wanted to accomplish. I believe Obama already defied the consitution with his FISA vote.

    Parent
    Yep. Bill did what he had to do (5.00 / 5) (#22)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:27:49 AM EST
    last night as a pol and as Hillary's number-one pol.

    And I'll do what I have to do in November as a voter.  

    Not as the racist that I must be, just like Bill -- because both he and I think that "fairy tale" is not a racist slur.  But as the citizen that I am.  So I consider myself also bound to uphold the Constitution.  And every one of its amendments.  

    Of course, I'm particularly fond of the amendment written by a woman for all women, an amendment that no man could bring himself to write and no men in Congress could bring themselves to bring out of committee for almost 50 years. . . .

    Parent

    Obama's vote on FISA IMO proved that he has no (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:09:03 AM EST
    intention of doing what Bill claims. In fact, quite the opposite.

    Barack Obama is ready to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

    Obama's actions speak a lot louder that Bill Clinton's words. His vote on FISA more than anything else influences my voting decision in November.
     

    Parent

    Because (none / 0) (#37)
    by TChris on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:17:16 AM EST
    John McCain is so much better on privacy/Fourth Amendment issues?

    Parent
    No, John McCain is not better (none / 0) (#40)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:28:48 AM EST
    Both McCain and Obama fail to honor their oaths of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the U.S.

    The fact that McCain will not protect our Constitutional rights does not suddenly make it O.K. for Obama to approve of giving them away as well.

    Two wrongs do not make a right IMO. The results are the same. Constitutional rights are eliminated.

    Parent

    The Smoove Moves of Billiam Clinton (none / 0) (#39)
    by Desired User Name on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:24:44 AM EST
    I believe Obama already defied the consitution with his FISA vote.

    I think Bill meant that very thing ;=}
    Bill is one crafty son-of-a-
    and as smooth as butter!

    I agree that Obama took a tinkle on the constitution and of all the outrageous and bad
    crapola that went down during the primary this ACT by Obama, to me, was perhaps the worst.

    ah yeah...
    But in politics there are Crocodile Tears and  Crocodile Memories... I believe that regardless of the bilge water under the bridge the Clintons are going to help put a "Democrat" in office, however I don't expect Bill and Hill to not add in subliminal snark or disapproval while doing so.

    Hillary's speech was chock full of talk about Universal Health Care and we know that's not Obama's stance. If he did pick that up and champion it, I'D HAVE TO VOTE FOR HIM.

    Along with upholding the constitution, Healthcare is by far one of the most important issues to me.

    Now let's see what the Big O does next...

    Parent

    When Bill was in his prime (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Steve M on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:16:07 AM EST
    it was like, you almost didn't care if he was telling you the truth.

    Parent
    exactly (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:18:08 AM EST
    as it always was.

    Parent
    You're onto something there... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:42:06 AM EST
    that was/is Bill's talent...his bullsh*t was/is strangely more palatable than most other brands of bull.

    Parent
    People predisposed to believe BC will (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:06:04 AM EST
    believe him. Those that aren't, won't.  His campaigning all over will help though - it will be interesting to see how much of that he does.

    Encouraging (none / 0) (#41)
    by daring grace on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 12:04:48 PM EST
    Since those predisposed to listen to Bill Clinton was always an impressive number.

    Parent
    Bet he thought his (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:11:22 AM EST
    wife was even more ready....but of course he couldn't say that.

    Why not quote Biden instead of Clinton.

    Maybe (5.00 / 6) (#10)
    by Bluesage on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:12:18 AM EST
    He just got up there and said those words that were too painful for Hillary to say.  I think he did this more for Hillary than for Obama.  After the way they were both treated by Obama and his camp and his supporters I don't think I could have been as gracious as both of them were.  They are the Democratic Party whether Dean, Pelosi, Brazile or Obama like it very much.  I still think there is a very good chance Obama will lose and it will be the fault of no one but Obama and his supporters.  Then maybe we can purge our party of this infestation and rebuild the Party to reflect what Bill and Hillary stand for which is all of us.  They get it - I'm not sure Obama ever will.  If he wins I hope I am proven wrong.

    I am "ready" to win the lottery (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by AlSmith on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:13:46 AM EST

    Its silly that the speakers get blamed because they dont pump up Obama sufficiently.

    What else are you supposed to say? He wants to be President.... we are all here anyway...  managing an economy is exactly like being a community organizer?

    A community organizer for 1-3 years (none / 0) (#20)
    by RedSox04 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:26:50 AM EST
    with no notable record of accomplishment.  The few community organizers I know, if they were running for President, would have literally dozens, if not hundreds, of the community members they helped supporting their cause.

    The marked lack of these folks in the Obama campaign to me indicates something ain't right with Obama's biography (shades of James Frey, anyone?)

    Of course, if I were a good but not great Columbia graduate with huge political aspirations, I suppose 1-3 years of community organizing would look really good on my resume.  It might even get me into Harvard Law School.  


    Parent

    I've got problems with this too. (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Grace on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:35:11 AM EST
    The "experience" issue is huge to me and I have seen and heard nothing to change that over the last three days.  

    I've also heard very little specific about what Obama hopes to accomplish that isn't open to negotiation.  

    Parent

    Very good point (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:53:00 AM EST
    They had many speeches from regular people during the convention - why not one from someone he helped as a community organizer? Or even someone he worked with? Where have they been throuigh the whole campaign, as a matter of fact? Certainly possible I missed them.

    Parent
    maybe (none / 0) (#35)
    by ccpup on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:12:53 AM EST
    they're like these phantom voters who will magically show up on Election Day and prove the Polls wrong?

    Parent
    Bill is a great politican (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by stefystef on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:16:48 AM EST
    He said the right things, in the right tone, at the right time.

    Do I believe he believes what he said?  To some decree, yes.
    Does that mean Bill Clinton has drunk the Kool-Aid?  No.

    Do I think he loves this country?  Absolutely!

    Bill knows Hillary was the right choice, but you work with what you got.  Personally, I don't plan to vote on for President this year (the "new" coalition can fun with it).  Whoever is President in November, it won't be much change.

    It will still be a bunch of rich white men (after all, Obama is a white man too).

    I cringed a little when Clinton said that. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by lucky leftie on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:18:38 AM EST
    It seemed forced. Also, when he stated that Obama "hit it out of the park" when he chose Biden.  I have nothing against Biden but I think that's an overstatement.  

    Not to disagree (5.00 / 4) (#19)
    by Lena on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:25:49 AM EST
    but I have to admit that this is the part of Bill Clinton's speech I found least compelling, and almost jarring with the reality of Barack Obama. I mean, I'm sure you can find ways to sell Obama, but, after FISA, and in light of his foreign policy experience, this one involves a bit of cognitive dissonance.

    well (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:34:18 AM EST
    this part:

    "Barack Obama is ready to . . .  restore American leadership in the world."

    I have always thought was the only argument for an Obama presidency.  I think this is to some extent true.
    for what its worth.


    Parent

    I'm still questioning why Bill (none / 0) (#29)
    by Grace on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:42:08 AM EST
    put the words "Barack Obama" in front of nearly every sentence.

    I, Grace, poster on Talkleft, is ready to restore American leadership to the world.  With my huge ego, I'm pretty sure I could accomplish it even though I have absolutely no experience in this area -- but I think I could do it.  I am ready to do it.  

    Bill Clinton could legitimately say about me "Grace is ready to restore American leadership to the world" because I said that I was ready to do it.  The question is:  Does he believe I could do it?  (I doubt it.  He doesn't even know me!)

    Given that Bill Clinton once said that famous phrase "It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is," it's hard not to read his speech without parsing it.    


    Parent

    In a fairytale ending world, Bill and (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by zfran on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:27:51 AM EST
    Hillary would take a very long vacation until after November and upon their return, find out Hillary had been elected President. No glass slipper needed!

    P.S. Fairytales always have a (none / 0) (#26)
    by zfran on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:37:17 AM EST
    "happy ending" and I, for one, would be very happy with an ending like that and the winner would be our country. We won't get that ending, however, I still think Hill and Bill shouldn't even campaign.

    Parent
    You forget the wicked stepmother (none / 0) (#31)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:48:53 AM EST
    who was sentenced to be shod in red hot iron shoes and dance until she died.

    Remember, we got the cleaned up versions of folk tales.  The heroes and heroines may have lived well, but the villains often had cruel, bloody fates.

    Parent

    Barack Obama HAS TO be ready to be (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:44:13 AM EST
    president because he might BE the next president, but I, too, cringed when I heard Bill Clinton say this.  

    And it will be up to the voters to decide if they are willing to trust that Obama can rise to the occasion of the presidency, if his limited experience qualifies him to take on that huge responsibility, if they have reason to think he can and will acquit himself well and whether they can trust that the (so far) blurry but hopeful rhetoric will translate into policies, legislation and a better direction for the country.

    I think that remains to be seen; I don't see what Bill said as persuading those who were on the fence, or even cajoling those on the other side of the fence to hop on over to the Obama side of the street.  I just don't think that when the horrible music is shut off, the plasma screens go dim, the fireworks fizzle and the confetti disintegrates, people will, in their heart of hearts, believe a number of things Bill said last night.

    I said last night, and I will say again today, that a lot of what has been said about what Obama will do, or what he is ready and qualified to do, sounded an awful lot like people trying really hard to talk themselves into believing what they were saying.

    I'm just not sure that even with Bill Clinton professing belief that Obama can meet the bar of expectations, that he is up to the job and all that it entails.

    When Bill said (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Bluesage on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:05:18 AM EST
    That in 92 everyone said he wasn't ready or experienced enough to be president and they were wrong. He was absolutely ready because he had been an Atty. General and a Governor for over a decade.  He had real executive experience.  Obama does not and he has done nothing in this campaign to prove to anyone that he is ready for this job.  I know many people who have been involved in their communities and organized and worked with the needy, including myself but I'm not ready to be president and neither are any of my friends who have contributed to their communities.  Some are lawyers, doctors, teachers and many other professions but I wouldn't vote for them for president. Someone please tell me what qualifies him, enlighten me to what he has done in this campaign that has so many convinced.  I don't see it.

    What you said (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by nell on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:19:27 AM EST
    Exactly.

    Someone please tell me.

    Parent

    BC is a lying racist (4.90 / 10) (#1)
    by RedSox04 on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:55:49 AM EST
    Why should I believe him?

    Did Bill Clinton actually say (none / 0) (#15)
    by Grace on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 10:17:55 AM EST
    "I say to you" or was that added later?  It's not on the transcript of his speech.  In the transcript, he merely states the words you have posted above.  

    I noted from the transcript that there was nothing to qualify that Bill Clinton actually felt any of these declarative sentences.  "Barack Obama is ready to be president" is hugely different from "I believe Barack Obama is ready to be president."  

    Unimportant distinction. (none / 0) (#36)
    by lilburro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:16:02 AM EST
    If Bill Clinton says something is true, I'm going to consider it.

    Parent
    I don't believe that Bill believes that. (none / 0) (#44)
    by Romberry on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 01:54:47 PM EST
    Sorry, but I don't. Bill Clinton is the consummate politician and a loyal Democrat. He said what he had to say in that regard. He knows his own background with stints as a state attorney general and (more importantly) executive experience as a governor. He knows that Obama does not have anything like that sort of background. But despite the ugliness from the primaries, Bill Clinton did exactly what one would expect Bill Clinton to do: He came out and said what he needed to say to support the Democratic Party and the Democratic presidential ticket. Class all the way.

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